ABC Taps ‘Friends’ Alum David Schwimmer For Comedy

ABC added Friends alum David Schwimmer to their comedy Irreversible, this marks Schwimmer’s return to television.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, ABC based the comedy on Israeli series Bilti Hafich. It centers on Andy (Schwimmer) and Sarah an eccentric, self-absorbed couple, and they often bring problems on themselves. It is Israeli Broadcast TV’s number one original comedy.

Andy is a writer with two published books, one fared well and the other was a disaster. To make a living, he conducts writing workshops. He is finding it difficult to come up with the energy and resources needed for his next novel, especially with a newborn baby girl. He is a pessimist, and as a spoiled only child, tends to complicate things and find trouble although he avoids conflict. He uses sarcasm to hide his low self-esteem often leading to blowing up emotionally charged situations.

This is Schwimmer’s return to TV since NBC’s ten-season run of Friends. He did feature films including the Madagascar franchise and starred on stage in London’s Some Girl(s) and Broadway’s The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. Schwimmer did have guest roles on NBC’s 30 Rock, HBO’s Entourage and Showtime’s Web Therapy from Friends Alum Lisa Kudrow. He directed some episodes for Matt LeBlanc’s Friends spinoff Joey and NBC’s Growing Up Fisher, among others.

Other Friends alum currently starring in TV series are LeBlanc (Showtime’s Episodes), Lisa Kudrow and Courtney Cox(TBS’ Cougar Town). Matthew Perry has been tapped to star in a reboot of The Odd Couple from CBS; it is currently awaiting a pilot order.

Irreversible comes from Segahl Avin co-creator of the original series. Avin also wrote the script, will direct and act as executive producer with Peter Tolan and Michael Wimer. The comedy series comes from Sony Pictures Television and Reshet TV. Schwimmer will also serve as a producer.